J. Warnes — Oil Portrait Of A Lurcher In An English Landscape, Circa 1910

J. Warnes — Portrait Of A Lurcher In An English Landscape, Circa 1910

An Edwardian British Sporting Animal Portrait In The Tradition Of Samuel John Carter

Highlights

• Evocative early 20th-century British portrait of a lurcher in an English country landscape.

• Signed “J. Warnes” lower right.

• British School, circa 1910.

• Oil on canvas.

• Chestnut-and-white lurcher portrayed almost in full profile with its head turned towards the viewer.

• G. Rowney & Co., London, “Quality F” prepared-canvas stencil to the reverse.

• Canvas manufacturer's mark consistent with an early-20th-century dating.

• Rooted in the British sporting-animal tradition associated with Samuel John Carter.

• Provenance associated with Lime House, Earls Colne, Essex, and Colonel Peter Charles Edward Fishbourne.

• Presented in a later Larson-Juhl decorative gilt frame.

• An appealing acquisition for collectors of British sporting art and historic canine portraiture.

Introduction

A charming and highly decorative British sporting portrait depicting a chestnut-and-white lurcher standing alert within an English rural landscape, signed “J. Warnes” and dating provisionally to circa 1910.

The dog is presented almost laterally, allowing its elegant sighthound proportions to dominate the composition, while its head turns directly towards the viewer. This engaging device transforms the work from a straightforward study of breed and anatomy into a portrait possessing considerable individuality and character.

Tall grasses frame the animal on either side, opening towards distant golden fields beneath an atmospheric blue-grey sky broken by softly modelled clouds.

The contrast between the dog's warm chestnut markings, creamy-white coat and surrounding deep greens gives the composition considerable decorative appeal.

Catalogue Details

Artist: J. Warnes, identity presently unverified

School: British School

Title: Portrait Of A Lurcher In An English Landscape

Date: Circa 1910, provisional; early 20th century

Medium: Oil on canvas

Signature: Signed “J. Warnes” lower right

Canvas: G. Rowney & Co., London, Quality F prepared canvas

Subject: Portrait of a lurcher or greyhound-type dog within an English rural landscape

Art-Historical Context: British sporting and animal portraiture in the tradition of Samuel John Carter

Frame: Later decorative Larson-Juhl gilt frame

Catalogue Note

The reverse provides particularly valuable material evidence through its surviving G. Rowney & Co., London, “Quality F” prepared-canvas stencil.

Research into the manufacturer's historic canvas marks establishes that Quality F appears in Rowney's 1892 catalogue and remained in production into the early 20th century. The surviving mark is therefore entirely compatible with the proposed circa 1910 date.

The lower-right signature appears to read “J. Warnes”. Research has not presently established the painter's identity with sufficient certainty to attach a formal biography, and the work is consequently catalogued conservatively as British School, signed “J. Warnes”.

Stylistically and thematically, the painting belongs to the distinguished British tradition of sporting and animal portraiture that flourished throughout the Victorian and Edwardian periods.

The Lurcher In British Sporting Art

Neither a single formal breed nor merely a greyhound, the traditional lurcher developed through crossing sighthounds with other working dogs.

Combining speed with stamina, intelligence and versatility, these dogs became closely associated with British rural life.

Historically connected with hunting and poaching, the lurcher's elegant physique and working character made it a compelling subject for generations of British sporting painters.

Here the animal's elongated body is carefully displayed while its turned head establishes direct engagement with the viewer — combining breed study with the individuality expected of an animal portrait.

Samuel John Carter And The British Animal-Painting Tradition

Samuel John Carter (1835–1892) was one of the notable British animal and sporting artists of the Victorian period.

Born at Swaffham in Norfolk, Carter established a career depicting wildlife, dogs, horses and sporting subjects and became principal animal illustrator for the Illustrated London News between 1867 and 1889.

He exhibited regularly at the Royal Academy and was particularly admired for his understanding of animal anatomy.

Carter's documented oeuvre includes canine subjects and lurchers, placing the present composition within a recognisable artistic tradition.

No specific Carter composition corresponding to this painting has presently been identified. It is therefore catalogued “in the tradition of Samuel John Carter” rather than “after Samuel John Carter”, preserving the distinction between artistic influence and direct derivation from an identified prototype.

Provenance

Stated to have formed part of the collection at Lime House, Earls Colne, Essex, associated with the late Colonel Peter Charles Edward Fishbourne (1940–2023).

Subsequently Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®.

Public records independently support Colonel Fishbourne's association with Lime House, although object-specific estate documentation for this particular painting remains to be identified.

Dimensions

Framed:

Height: 34.5 cm

Width: 44.5 cm

Depth: 4 cm

Condition Report

The painting is offered in fine used antique condition consistent with its age.

The canvas displays age-related craquelure and a yellowed or discoloured varnish layer.

Scattered pale surface spotting and accretions are visible, the precise nature of which has not been established.

Historic localised retouching and small canvas repairs are reported.

Presented within a later decorative Larson-Juhl gilt frame displaying minor handmade and use-related imperfections.

Please refer to the accompanying photographs, which form an integral part of the condition assessment.

Shipping

Worldwide delivery is available.

The work will be professionally and securely packed for transit, with particular attention given to protecting the painted surface and decorative frame.

Please contact us regarding international delivery requirements where appropriate.

Certificate of Sale & Dealer Attribution

Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD® will issue a Certificate of Sale & Dealer Attribution identifying the work as British School, early 20th century, signed “J. Warnes” lower right, Portrait Of A Lurcher In An English Landscape, circa 1910, oil on canvas, bearing a G. Rowney & Co., London, Quality F prepared-canvas stencil.

The certificate will record the catalogue attribution and provenance information held by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD® at the date of sale.

Attribution and Research

This catalogue entry has been prepared following consideration of the available visual, technical and documentary evidence.

The circa 1910 dating is provisional but is supported by the period appearance of the work and the surviving G. Rowney & Co. Quality F canvas mark.

The identity of J. Warnes remains presently unverified.

The description “in the tradition of Samuel John Carter” refers to the painting's art-historical context within British sporting and animal portraiture. It does not constitute an attribution to Samuel John Carter.

Further documentary or technical research may refine the attribution and dating.

Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®

Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD® specialises in British and European fine paintings, sculpture and historically significant works of art.

We select works according to subject, quality, decorative merit, provenance and historical significance, presenting them with carefully researched catalogue information for collectors in the United Kingdom and internationally.

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J. Warnes Lurcher Dog Oil Painting c.1910 | British Sporting Art

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Antique British oil portrait of a lurcher, signed J. Warnes c.1910, on Rowney canvas. Fine Edwardian sporting art with distinguished provenance.